Mitochondrial Dysfunction Contributes to Sepsis Induced Cardiac Dysfunction

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: Sepsis
• Interventions: Diagnostic Test: Suspected Sepsis Group - Diagnostic Measurements; Diagnostic Test: Control Group - Diagnostic Measurements

• Registration Number: NCT05148117
• Lead Sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham

Brief Summary

This proposal hypothesizes that mitochondrial bioenergetics in the patient will correspond to mtDNA DAMPs levels and markers of inflammation. We predict these will serve as a prognostic indicator of Sepsis induced cardiac dysfunction (SICD) outcomes. Successful completion of these studies will provide a clearer understanding of the etiology of SICD development and therefore will have a high impact on biomedical research by identifying a new mechanism for understanding sepsis induced organ failure. Importantly, they will also provide a means for more directed and focused therapies, based upon individual bioenergetic/mitochondrial-mediated inflammation profiles. The combined, complementary expertise of the Mentor/co-primary investigators (Drs. Mathru and Ballinger) provide an excellent combination in both basic and translational research. They also have experience conducting studies and publications that will strengthen this research project. Importantly, the methods for characterizing mitochondrial bioenergetics from platelets were developed here at UAB, and methods for quantitative assessment of mtDNA DAMPs have been recently developed.

Detailed Description

Sepsis induced cardiac dysfunction (SICD) occurs in \~ 50% of the patients with severe sepsis and septic shock, with significant implications for patient's survival. Currently, the precise pathophysiological mechanisms leading to cardiac dysfunction are not fully understood, nor is there an effective therapy for SICD except antibiotics, source control and restoration of hemodynamics to improve organ perfusion.

SICD is characterized by minimal cell death, normal coronary perfusion, preserved tissue oxygen tension and reversibility in survivors. These characteristics point toward an oxygen utilization problem due to mitochondrial dysfunction; interestingly, sepsis mouse models demonstrated an improvement in cardiac function and decreased mortality when they were treated with mitochondrial targeted therapies, consistent with a growing body of evidence that suggests dysregulated mitochondrial metabolism plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of SICD. Ultrastructural and functional abnormalities of mitochondria have also been demonstrated in early sepsis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated from mitochondria along with calcium overload trigger mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening which facilitates the externalization of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) fragments. These mtDNA fragments, or mtDNA Damage Associated Molecular Patterns (mtDNA DAMPs), activate innate immune response pathways - these pathways are well known to be significant components of intramyocardial inflammation.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2021-11-24
• Study First Submitted QC: 2021-11-24
• Study First Posted: 2021-12-08
• Status Verified: 2025-01
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-01-28
• Last Update Posted: 2025-01-30
• Study Start: 2025-06-10
• Primary Completion: 2025-12-07
• Study Completion: 2026-02-07

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 40

Inclusion Criteria

• Subjects 18 years old
• With clinical symptoms suggestive of sepsis Control Group
• age matched
• gender matched
• cardiovascular risk factor matched

Exclusion Criteria

• n/a

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
suspected sepsis group	Suspected Sepsis Group - Diagnostic Measurements	We will perform a prospective observational study of patients admitted to the intensive care units (ICU) with suspected sepsis or septic shock.
control group	Control Group - Diagnostic Measurements	This group will be compared to suspected sepsis or sepsis shock patients. The control group will be age matched, gender-matched, and cardiovascular risk-factor matched controls.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Mitochondria and SICD	after clinical recovery from sepsis (approximately 1 month)	examining the potential roles for increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) production in SICD using mouse models of sepsis have shown that genetic and/or pharmacologic manipulation of these species decreased oxidative stress, increased ATP generation and restored cardiac function in sepsis
Mitochondrial mechanisms to influence SICD	after clinical recovery from sepsis (approximately 1 month)	changes in mitochondrial bioenergetics associated with sepsis can result in differential releases of mtDNA DAMPs, which contribute in inflammation.
Mitochondrial function in heart	after clinical recovery from sepsis (approximately 1 month)	changes in mitochondrial bioenergetics associated with sepsis can result in differential releases of mtDNA DAMPs, which contribute in inflammation
Mitochondrial dysfunction characterized by bioenergetic changes	after clinical recovery from sepsis (approximately 1 month)	that mitochondrial dysfunction, characterized by bioenergetic changes (dysfunction) is associated with sepsis in humans, and will be significantly linked with mtDNA DAMPs levels and inflammatory markers in the pathophysiology of SICD.
Mitochondrial bioenergetics and mtDNA DAMPs	after clinical recovery from sepsis (approximately 1 month)	determine the mitochondrial bioenergetic profiles from platelets isolated from blood samples collected from sepsis patients and controls.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Alabama at Birmingham; 🇺🇸 Birmingham, Alabama, United States